WWE SmackDown Results, Highlights & Winners (April 26, 2024): WWE Draft Night 1
(Courtesy :Â WWE)
Cody & Styles sign contract, three matches for Backlash announced, Orton & Owens brawl Bloodline & more!!
The April 26, 2024 episode of Friday Night SmackDown is officially over and it is the Night 1 of the 2024 WWE Draft. It is one of the must see episodes of SmackDown to witness, where the superstars are heading to. A total of 16 Superstars were drafted and some of the big matches are announced for Backlash. Get to know what happened on this weekâs episode of SmackDown
WWE SmackDown Summary & Results
Paul Heyman gives update on Roman reigns
Paul Heyman was interviewed backstage. He was asked about the rumors around Roman Reigns. Heyman said that Roman has withdrawn his participation in the Draft, as he wonât be returning to WWE in the near future. He claims that if Roman is not in the Draft then who will be the first pick?
Undisputed WWE Championship Contract Signing
Both Cody Rhodes & AJ Styles got seated on either side, where Styles took the microphone in his hands to say something before he sign his contract. Styles claims that he got his composure back. He said that both him and Cody Rhodes have a similar journey to the company proving themselves outside the company. He remembers his memory with Dusty Rhodes and signed the contract.
Cody Rhodes then had his chance to speak, where he said that he has respect for Styles and praised him as the perfection of the modern era. Cody says that his story is not about winning the title, but keeping it. It is not his dream match, but it is a must win match for him. Cody offers an handshake to Styles and Styles claimed that his title reign gonna end at Backlash to shook his hands and walked backstage.
WWE Draft Round 1
Before Cody leave, Triple H came out and asked Cody to join him in announcing the Round 1 Draft picks. Cody announced SmackDown draft picks and Triple H choses Rawâs picks.
- âThe ESTâ Bianca Belair [SmackDown]
- âMain Eventâ Jey Uso [Raw]
- âHimâ Carmelo Hayes [SmackDown]
- Seth âFreakinâ Rollins [Raw]
Carmelo Hayes made his SmackDown appearance and he came to shoot a shot against Cody Rhodes & Cody offers a match to Hayes tonight in the main event.
LDF (Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee) vs LWO (Angel & Humberto)
Dragon Lee and Humberto started the match, where Lee has the initial advantage, however a nasty landing turned the game to LDF side. After the commercial, Rey Mysterio got tagged in and he is fired up. Rey takes both of them down, hitting Code Red on Angel and sending Berto out. Rey hit a 619 to Angel and Dragon Lee delivered Dragon Driver for the win.
Santos Escobar unveils the attacker
Santos Escobar stopped LWOâs celebration and said that he caught the footage of Dragon Leeâs attack. Carlito was the one who attacked Lee from the back and acted like he doesnât know anything. Carlito is guilty, he hit a Backstabber on Lee and escaped running through the audience area.
Bron Breakker vs Cedric Alexander
Cedric Alexander tried to fight Breakker with his quick hands, but when going for the ropes, Breakker speared him for a squash win.
Backstage- Nick Aldis & Tiffany Stratton
Tiffany Stratton stopped Nick Aldis and asked for a title shot. Aldis announced that she will get her shot at Backlash, if she manages to defeat Naomi tonight. Bayley was the one who gave idea for the match. Tiffy asked Bayley to get seated in the front row to watch her defeat Naomi.
WWE Draft Round 2
WWE Veteran, Michelle McCool announce SmackDown picks and Hall of Famer Torrie Wilson announced Raw picks.
- âThe Viperâ Randy Orton [SmackDown]
- Bron Breakker [Raw]
- âThe Irresistable Forceâ Nia Jax [SmackDown]
- Liv Morgan [Raw]
Backstage Brawl
Paul Heyman waited for the arrival of Solo Sikoa. Solo asked him about The Bloodlineâs status in the Draft and Heyman explained him in detail. Soloâs MFT arrived and Heyma was asked to explain to him. While Heyman explains, Kevin Owens attacked Tama Tonga from the back to kick start a brawl. A bunch of securities came to separate them.
Bianca Belair Interview
Bianca Belair was interviewed and meanwhile the WWE Womenâs Tag Team Championship matchwas announced, where Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill will challenge Kabuki Warriors at Backlash. Belair then wished Jade to be in SmackDown. Asuka & Kairi Sane interfered her during the interview and Cargill joins Belair. Both the teams have a face-off.
Kevin Owens, Randy Orton & The Bloodline Brawl
While both teams posed for a face-off, Kevin Owens and Tama Tonga fought their way to the ringside. Owens has the upper hand until Solo Sikoa gets involved. Tama Tonga and Solo Sikoa took down Owens and the securities who came to stop them. Randy Orton came to save Owens and he took down both of them. Securities separated them to end the brawl.
WWE Draft Round 3
The Dudley Boyz came to announce the round 3 picks, where Bubba Ray Dudley announced SmackDown picks & D-Von Dudley announced Raw picks.
- LA Knight [SmackDown]
- Ricochet [Raw]
- The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga & Paul Heyman) [SmackDown]
- Sheamus [Raw]
Tiffany Stratton vs Naomi
The match began with Naomi taking down Tiffany right away. Both took the fight to outside the ring with Naomi banging Tiffyâs head to the apron. Back in the ring, TIffy tried to fight back, but Naomi hit an innovative Piledriver on apron and delivered a split-splash outside the ring.
After the commercial, Naomi is still in control with her unique offences. Both hit a face first to the floor. Naomi hit a step-up-enzigiri and a bull dog to the turnbuckle. Nia Jax arrived on SmackDown and attacked Bayley, who was in the commentary. Jax attacks both Bayley & Naomi. Tiffy collect their bodies taking them to the ring and hit the Prettiest Moonsault Ever on them.
Final Testament
Karrion Kross cut a promo backstage and AOP attacked the New Catch Republic. Kross warned the WWE locker room saying nobody is safe at where they head to in the WWE Draft.
WWE Draft Round 4
The Former SmackDown General Manager, Teddy Long announced the SmackDown picks & JBL came to announce the Raw picks in the final round of the Night 1 Draft.
- AJ Styles [SmackDown]
- Alpha Academy [Raw]
- Andrade [SmackDown]
- Kiana James [Raw]
Backstage Interview
Kiana James speaks about moving to Raw and she is getting appreciated by the entire NXT roster including Shawn Michaels.
Backlash Matches announced
Nick Aldis was interviewed backstage and he announced two matches for the Backlash France. Aldis annunced that Bayley will be defending her WWE Womenâs Championship against Naomi & Tiffany Stratton in a Triple Threat Match at Backlash.
Teddy Long announced that Randy Orton & Kevin Owen will be facing Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga of The Bloodline at Backlash in a Tag Team Match.
Cody Rhodes vs Carmelo Hayes
The match began with both delivering their signature strikes and take downs and it continued after the commercial. Melo took the momentum when he managed to deliver a Face Buster and a Springboard Tornado DDT. Cody soon countered his move and hit a Disasted kick and a Running Powerslam.
Cody then went on to deliver a picture perfect Cody Cutter, and looked for a backdrop, but Melo hit a Code Breaker and went top rope for Nothing but Net, but Cody escaped. Both went for a Cody Cutter and both missed landing on the mat. Cody however managed to hit a Cross Rhodes on Melo to secure the win. After the match, AJ Styles came teasing of attacking Cody but ended up shooking hands.
SmackDown Results
- Roman Reigns withdrawn himself from the WWE Draft.
- Cody Rhodes & AJ Styles signed the contract.
- Dragon Lee & Rey Mysterio defeated Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo.
- Carlito was unveiled as the attacker backstage.
- Bron Breakker defeated Cedric Alexander by pinfall.
- Tiffany Stratton vs Naomi ended in a no contest after a sneak attack by Nia Jax.
- Cody Rhodes defeated Carmelo Hayes by pinfall.
Draft Results
- Bianca Belair, Carmelo Hayes, Randy Orton, Nia Jax, LA Knight, The Bloodline, AJ Styles & Andrade drafted to SmackDown
- Jey Uso, Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker, Liv Morgan, Ricochet, Sheamus, Alpha Academy & Kiana James drafted to Raw.
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